Moldova: Reform, European Integration and Transnistrian conflict resolution

On the situation in the conflict area of Transnistria, Dr. Mizsei was very firm in his belief that it is not a minor issue, but one that affects the EU and several states looking for EU membership. This is one of the greatest obstacles to Moldovan accession to the EU, but it also affects other EU states such as Romania and others possibly on the road to accession such as Ukraine. For Romania, the effects have been the removal of visa free restrictions on travel by Moldovans, many of which have family inside the boundaries of Romania. Visa free travelprior to Romania's own accession to the EU was possible. For the Ukrainians border control and demarcation between the Transnistrian region and the sovereign territory of Ukraine has become an issue. Moldovan security forces and border police cannot operate in this region as Transnistrian forces control it, and a ceasefire has been in effect for 16 years; while at the same time Ukrainian authorities do not wish to grant any sense of sovereignty to the Smirnov regime, by allowing for them to be official party to the demarcation.
On the topic of the “deepening of the democratic process”, Dr. Mizsei spoke of the teh crucial importance of free and fair elections in Moldova. Specifically he stated that the elections next spring for the parliament must follow these criteria. In Moldova several factors such as very  high threshold for political parties as well as the banning of electoral blocks challenge the democratic system. This requirement of free and fair elections is absolutely necessary for any step forward by Moldova towards European accession.
Dr. Mizsei last main point came on the topic of the economic situation in Moldova. This topic ties in with both the issue of EU accession as well as with the Transnistrian conflict. The conflict has been scaring off FDI, of which Moldova is in dire need. As the poorest European nation, Moldova greatly needs economic reform and help from the outside, but the Transnistrian conflict, among other factors, is a serious obstacle to direct foreign investment..
CASE would once again like to thank Dr. Mizsei for his remarkably informative presentation, and would like to thank him also for his hard work in Moldova as the EU Special Representative. By serving the EU in this region his efforts have proved to be invaluable for the entire European Union, Europe, and the World.    

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